Chapter 93 - Chapter 93: But It Fell Apart
Chapter 93: But It Fell Apart
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Mr. Sun gave her a smile. “But you’re different. Your paintings make people feel warm inside.” He then continued, “And recently, I see more sunlight in your paintings.”
Xu Jiaojiao was slightly taken aback. She subconsciously looked at her own painting and was a little puzzled.
She never realized it herself.
“You’re getting better, at least a lot better than when you first arrived. Do you have a belief or a faith, something that you want to chase? You have to maintain this feeling.”
Xu Jiaojiao calmed down and thought for a moment before saying, “1 don’t know either. I did have a faith a long time ago, but it fell apart.”
She could not think of a reason why her paintings had become sunnier.
“You don’t understand yourself.” Mr. Sun smiled. “In my opinion, you are now full of faith and inspiration. That’s why your paintings are getting warmer, firmer, and more radiant.”
Xu Jiaojiao frowned slightly, her dark eyes filled with confusion. Was that really the case?
Mr. Sun was amused by her look of confusion. “A bystander can see things more clearly. Perhaps you haven’t noticed the changes in yourself. Don’t worry about it. Just maintain this state and continue drawing.”
Xu Jiaojiao did not quite understand what the teacher meant, but she still nodded obediently.
The sun was setting. The other students and Mr. Sun had already returned to their rooms. Meanwhile, Xu Jiaojiao was engrossed in her drawing, and she only answered absent-mindedly when the people around her spoke to her. She did not really hear what they were saying.
Suddenly, she felt that her vision was blocked. When she looked up again, she saw that the person beside her was gone. She was alone on the bridge.
“Ah-choo—”
The cold night wind blew. Her hand around the paintbrush was frozen, and she could not help but sneeze.
She quickly put on her coat and then went to the river to wash her brushes and drawing board. Finally, she packed her things and rushed to the inn. Along the way, she sneezed non-stop.
When she returned to the hotel, she realized that everyone had finished their dinner. The boys were sitting in the hotel lobby playing games, while the girls were gathered in groups of twos and threes to gossip, talk about celebrities, or discuss the best makeup.
Xu Jiaojiao returned to her room and boiled hot water for herself. She poured it into a cup and took small sips.
She had just warmed up when she heard a knock on the door.
Xu Jiaojiao walked to the door and opened it. She found Mr. Sun standing at the door, holding a bowl of steaming soup noodles in one hand and a kettle filled with hot water in the other.
“There’s nothing to eat at this hour, so I got the owner of the inn to cook a bowl of noodles for you. Eat up.”
Xu Jiaojiao nodded and thanked him. “Sorry to trouble you, sir.”
“Don’t sweat it.” Mr. Sun smiled gently. “I’m your teacher. It’s my duty to take care of you.”
Xu Jiaojiao smiled, not knowing what to say.
“Alright, eat it while it’s hot. I’ll leave first.” Before Mr. Sun left, he did not forget to turn around and remind Xu Jiaojiao, “Remember to lock the door when you sleep at night.”
Xu Jiaojiao took small bites of the noodles. Although it did not taste as good as her own cooking, she was already more than happy to be able to eat some hot noodles at this late hour.
After finishing her noodles, she went to take a shower, changed into her pajamas, and crawled into her sleeping bag. Her head was dizzy, and she fell asleep not long after. She did not even know that there was a message on her phone.
When she opened her eyes the next day, Xu Jiaojiao felt a splitting headache and an inexplicable itch in her throat. She felt uncomfortable everywhere.
She put on her coat first, then picked up her phone under her pillow. It was already half-past eight. She did not have time to see who had sent her a WeChat message and quickly got out of bed to wash up.
She was in such a hurry that her toes hit the corner of the table. It hurt so much that she could not even stand properly.
Fortunately, she made it downstairs before everyone set off.
When the male students who were criticized yesterday saw her arriving late, they snorted in unison.
Seeing that she did not look good, Mr. Sun did not blame her for being late. Instead, he asked worriedly, “Do you have a fever? Why is your face so red?”
Xu Jiaojiao’s throat was dry and itchy, so she could not speak. She could only wave her hand, indicating that she was fine.
“Then let’s go.” Mr. Sun handed the bun in his hand to her. “This is for you. You have to eat in the morning.”
Xu Jiaojiao hesitated for a moment before she took it and said in a hoarse voice, “Thank you, sir.”
One of the boys said in a strange tone, “Xu Jiaojiao is so lucky. If she’s late, she gets a free breakfast. Unlike us, we still get scolded when we wake up late..”